In 1905, Paul Doullut, a steamboat captain, designed and constructed a home facing the Mississippi River in what is now known as the Holy Cross neighborhood of New Orleans. The captain wanted a home reminiscent of the steamboats he and his wife, who was, also, a steamboat captain, guided up and down the river. He succeeded in building a unique and beautiful home. In 1913, he had a second, identical home built a few hundred yards from his, for his son, Paul, Jr. Steamboat features on the two "sisters" include the surrounding decks; narrow interior halls and stairs; metal smokestacks instead of chimneys; woodwork reflecting the steamboat era, with columns graduated in size, strung as rows around the decks or galleries; and a top floor resembling an open pilot house with commanding view of the river. The two houses were designated as historic landmarks in 1977. They are landmarks on the river and are known by architectural historians all over the world. -- Nancy

The "two sisters" on Egania Street at the Mississippi River.

Above and below, magnificent views from Captain Paul's "pilot house."

Left, one of the interior staircases; right, decorative details in one of the bedrooms.